South African History Online

Address by President Nelson Mandela at the Banquet hosted by President Sharma of India

India, 25 January 1995

President Shanker Dayal Sharma;
Prime Minister Rao;
Honourable
Ministers;
Your excellencies, Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic
corps;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.

May I express my heartfelt appreciation of the splendid welcome you have
afforded our delegation today. This excellent banquet, this gathering of
distinguished guests, the warmth we have encountered at every step; all these
things remind us that we are among very special friends.

Not that anyone could ever have doubted India's concern for the people of
South Africa.

With an unfaltering belief in justice and a recognition that none could be
truly free while others were oppressed, India came to our aid when the rest of
the world stood by or gave succour to our oppressors. Even before India had
gained its own independence, you identified with our cause and insisted that all
the nations of the world should make it their cause too. When the doors of
international councils were closed to us, India opened the way. You took up our
battle as your own battle. Now that we have been victorious, it cannot be said
too often that our victory is also India's victory.

When we drew from India was practical aid when it was sorely needed; the
inspiration of successful resistance to a powerful oppressor; the example if
defiance and forms of struggle that enriched our own traditions of struggle; a
clear sighted internationalism.

I consequently speak for all South African when I say that our victory would
have been less complete without your unfaltering support. Humanity has been
enriched through your efforts.

And now it is possible for the very first time for the Heads of State of our
two countries to meet, with out peoples united in peace and truly free, with the
prospect of a future rich with potential for cooperation in pursuit of peace and
prosperity for all.

To the partnership which we seek to establish with you, we bring a nation
which; in the very short time in which it has known peace and freedom, has shown
a remarkable determination to leave behind its history of division and conflict.
It has displayed resolution in seeking out the most realistic and effective ways
of addressing the central task it has set itself, that of transforming society
in order to improve the lives of especially the poor.

This requires mobilisation of all the sectors of our population, including
workers and business, in the effort to eradicate the legacy of apartheid.

In these efforts, we have benefited from the profound experiences of India,
not least from the facilities you have offered us for the training of our
cadres. The agreements signed this morning are a profound expression of the
possibilities that exist for us to speed up the strengthening of our relations,
including the critical areas of transfer of relevant technology, trade and
investment.

I am convinced, Your Excellency, that we are poised to build a unique and
special partnership - a partnership forged in the crucible of history, common
cultural attributes and common struggle. But it is, above all, a partnership
promised on building a future that will benefit our peoples and the nations of
the Indian Ocean Rim.

At last, a natural relationship which was held captive by the dictates of
apartheid can come of its own: flourishing in the fertile ground of the best
values humanity can offer.

I should also take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. President, for the
high-level delegation that you sent to our inauguration. Since then, we have
laid the basis for us to move forward together into an era of co-operation. What
has been forged in a common fight for freedom can now flourish in a time of
peace.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Allow me to propose a toast to the health of the President Sharma, to peace
and cooperation between our great nations.